It was upon a cold, grey December afternoon, when the little spring-bell above the door of Wickfield and Copperfield’s Law Offices gave its sharp announcement, that a stranger first entered. Mr. Wickfield and I were then seated at our facing desks, engaged in earnest discourse upon a case of some consequence; and, scarcely heeding the bell, we did not raise our eyes. The duty, as was customary, fell to our young clerk, who hastened forward to receive the visitor.